Service-box and switch.



M. HAVENS, JR. & F. R. MEGINNISS.

SERVICE BOX AND SWITCH.

APPLlCATION FILED AUG.18.I913- t, W m \.T d m 7% m n f 6 t a P WITNESSES.-

A T TORNE Y S M. HAVENS, JR. & F. R. MEGINNISS. SERVICE BOX AND SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED AUG.I8.1913.

1,214,915. Patented Feb. 6,1917

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 M. HAVENS, JR. & F. R. MEGINNISS.

SERVICE BOX AND SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I8, 1913.

Patented Feb. 6,1917.

5' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i A Z IVITNESSES VENTORS A U iT D STA TES PATENT OFFICE.

HORTON HAVIIS, 33., AND FRANCIS B. HEGINNISS, F ALBANY, NEW YORK.

SEBiVICE-BOX AND swrrcn.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

Application filed August 18, 1913. Serial No. 785,260.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, Moa'rox Havsxs, Jr., and FRANCIS R. Mnoixxiss. of Albany.

'in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Service-Box and Switch, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention has for its object the production of an electric service box and switch,

and relates particularly to means for preventing the removal of aburned out fuse without first operating the switch to break the cir cuit, and for preventing the operating of the switch to close the circuit after a new fuse has been inserted, without first closing the cover or door of the box, and also for preventing the current from being surreptitiously obtained from the exposed fuse terminals when the cover or door is open; and

it consists in the combinations and constructlons hereinafter set forth and claimed.

- In describing this invention reference is of this service box and switch, the parts be ing shown in their normal or closed position.

Fig. 2 being a view similar to Fig. 1, the cover being shown in its open position, givin access to the fuses.

ig. 3 is a face view, partly in section, of the service box and switch when the two sections of the box are in open position.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the operation of the handle of the switch.

. This invention comprises, generally, a'box or casing having a switch chamber, a fuse chamber, and movable parts or doors for permitting access to the chambers, means for normally preventing movement of the part or door by which access is had to the switch chamber, and means for automatically locking the movable part or door by which access is bad to the fuse chamber, from opening while the switch is closed, and for preventing closing of theiswitch when the last-' member. Means controlled in its operation by the cover and said movable member, is pronded for preventing opening of the cover and the exposing of live terminals, when the switch is closed, and for preventing the closing of the switch when the cover is open.

In the illustrated form of our invention, the box is divided into two compartments by a wall separating said compartments, the cover thereof is hinged; the switch is located in one compartment and includes contacts, one of which is carried by a movable member; and a fuse plug is located in the other compartment and engages terminals which are connected to contacts located on one side of said wall in position to coact with the switch contacts. These compartments are throughout the specification and claims, referred to as upper and lower compartments as the box can be more conveniently considered as in horizontal position although shown in the drawings as vertical. Itwill be understood that in use the boxes will be placed in various positions, and that the compartments may be located side by side.

Preferably the box comprises three sections, one section being formed with entrance and exit passages for the wires, the second section being interposed between the first and third sections and being formed with a partition which separates the interiors of the first and third sections, and the first section and the portion of the second on one side of said partition forming a switch chamber and the portion of said second section on the opposite side of said partition forming a fuse chamber, the third section serving as a cover for the second.

1, 2, 3 are the three sections, the same being called for convenience, the bottom, intermediate and top section respectively, the bottom section 1 having means as nipples 4 for the entrance and egress of wires and also for connection with electric ,conduits inclosing said wires.

The intermediate section Q'ishere shown as hinged at 5 to the bottom section and is movable on said hinge into the position illustrated in Fig. 4, and is normally locked from movement by means here illustrated as a bolt 6 passing through alined holes formed being held from removal by a seal.

The intermediate section is formed with a transverse partition which includes a portion 9 formed with an opening and a block or insulation 10 closing said opening, this partition being located about dway between the upper and lower edges of the section 2 and dividing the box into upper and lower compartments 11 and 12.

13 and let are switch contacts, the contacts 13 being mounted on suitable brackets 15, Figs. 2 and 4t, which are mounted upon the base of insulation 16 secured to the bottom of the section 1, these brackets 15 having binding devices for connection to the branch circuit wires.

The contacts 1d are movable for opening and closing the switch, as hereinafter described, and are here shown as carried by a rotatable member 17 of insulation mounted on an axle 18 journaled in metallic brackets or plates 19, 29 and located on opposite sides of the bottom section 1, the contacts 14 hav- 'ing knives 21 movable into and out of engagement with the contacts 22 supported on the base 16 and connected to terminals having binding devices 23 for connection with main circuit or wires.

The handle 24: is mounted on one end of the axle 18 on the outside of the casing, and a spring 25, Fig. 3, is coiled about the axle 18 and is connected at one end'to the member 1'? or the axle 18 and at its other end to a fixed point as the bracket 20. The spring 25 tends to move the switch to its open position, that is, the position shown in Figs. 2 and l from that shown in Fig. 1, and such movement of the switch by the spring is prevented by aspring pressed latch 26 coacting with a shoulder 27 on the axle 18.

The latch 26 is operated to disengage the same from the shoulder 27 by means of a cam 28, Fig. 5, located within the box and coacting with the latch 26, the cam having a handle 29 on the outside of the case. Said cam 28 and handle 29 are here shown as mounted on the opposite ends of a rock shaft extending through one side of the portion 19 of the partition separating the compartments 11 and 12.

31 is a fuse here-shown as a cartridge fuse connecting each pair of terminals 30. 32 are contacts located on the lower side of said insulation 10 within the compartment 12 and electrically connected to the terminals 30 by fastening members 33 extending through the -bloclr of insulation 10, the contacts 32 being arranged to coact respectively with the switch contacts 13 and 141..

naiaera The contacts 32 and the contacts 13 and 14: are constructed to yield as they come into contact and to be compressed when in contact.

The means for locking the cover 3 in its closed position when the movable member 17 01 the switch is in its closed position, that 1s, when the contacts 1% are engaged with the contacts 32, and for preventing closing of the movable member 17 of the switch when the cover at is open, comprises a part associated with the cover 3 near the hinge thereof and a part operated by the movable member of the switch.

As here shown the part associated with the cover 3 is a cylindrically curved shield 34 fixed to the cover 3 and arranged concentric with the axis 35 of the hinge of the cover 3, said shield running close to the portion 9 of the partition between the compartments 11 5 and 12 and having a socket 36: and the partoperated by the movable member 1'? of the switch is a sliding bolt 37 movable into the socket 36 when the cover 3 is closed and being prevented from movement and hence holding the switch member 17 from move: ment, by the peripheral surface 38 ofthe shield 3t.

The bolt 3"? is here shown as movable in a guide 39 supported on a cross piece 40, Fig. 9 5 3, connecting the upper ends of the brackets 19 and 20 which support the axle 18 of the movable member 1'? of the switch; and the means for operating the bolt comprises teeth 11 projecting from the movable member 18 and provided on a disk 42 supported between sections of insulation of said member 17 the teeth l1 extending through slots in said bolt-37.

In operation, it a fuse 31 blows out, it can be replaced in a short time without any danger to the person replacing the same, by operating the handle 29 to release the latch 26 and permit the movable switch member 17 to be moved to its open position by the spring 25, this movement of the movable switch member 17 withdrawing the bolt 37 out of the socket 36 permitting the cover 3 to be opened to give access to the fuse. During the handling of the fuses, no harm can befall the operator from touching parts normally in the electric circuit, as the switch is open. After the fuse hasbeen replaced, the operator is reminded to close the cover 3 as he is absolutely pre- 12o vented by the shield 34 from operating the switch member 17 until the cover is closed, and upon the closing of the cover. he can close the switch to again turn on the cur rent, by depressing the handle 2 1 as the'125 socket 36 is alined with the bolt 37.

@ur service box and switch is particularly advantageous in that no skill or care is required in replacing the fuses and hence no time is lost in locating, and waiting for 13o the arrival of, a skilled electrician, and further in that it is impossible to steal the current as the wires leading from the box are automatically cut out by the movable switch member when the cover is open and no live terminals are exposed when the cover of the box is open.

, What we claim is:

1. A service box having two compartments, a fuse located in one of said compartments, the box having a pivotally mounted displaceable part forming a portion of the inclos'ing wall of said compartment, said part having a hub portion projecting into the other compartment, a switch located in the last-named compartment and including a movable switch member.means for shifting the same. and a sliding bolt also located in thelast-named compartment, movable with the movable switch member and cooperating with the said hub portion for preventing movement of the displaceable part in one position of the movable s itch member said hub having a recess for receiving the sliding bolt. substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

2. A service box having two compartments, a fuse located in one of said compartments, said box having a displaceable part forming a portion of the inclosing wall of the last-named compartment, said part having a hub portion provided with a slot.

a switch located in the other compartment of the box and including a movable switch member, a sliding bolt for cooperating with the slot in said hub. a support in the lastnamed compartment for guiding the locking element in its movement, and a tooth member movable with the movable switch member and cooperating with the locking element, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A service box comprising a base section having means for connection to a conduit and an open side, an intermediate section hinged at one edge of said open side, and-forming with the base member a substantially closed compartment, and an outside section hinged to said intermediate section and forming therewith a second substantially closed compartment, a fuse located in the lastnamed compartment, a switch located in the first compartment and including a movable switch member, means for preventing movement of the intermediate and outside sections in one position of said movable switch member, and means for preventing movement of the latter in one position of said outside section, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. A service box including a base section having means for connection to a conduit and an open side, an intermediate SOCtIOD hinged at one'edgeto one edge of said open side and forming with the base member a substantially closed compartment, an out side section hinged to said second section for forming therewith a second -substantially it. closed compartment, a fuse located in the last-named compartment, a switch located in the first-named compartment includin a movable switch member, and interlocking means also located in the first-named compartment and movable with said movable switch member, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. I

5. A service box including 'a base section, having means for connection to a conduit and an open side, an intermediate section arranged in advance of said open side and forming with the base section :a 'substamt-iallv closed compartment. an outside movable section forming a substantially closed compartment with the intermediatesection and having a part projecting into the firstnamed compartment. a fuse located in the second compartment, :1 switch locatedin the first-named compartment including a.movable switch member. and interlocking means located in the first-named compartment and movable with the switch member. said means cooperating with the portion of the outside section extending in the first compartment for preventing movement of the outside section in one position of the movable switch member. substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. A service box having two compart: ments. one arranged in advance of the other and comprising three sections, one a base section having means for connection to a conduit and an open side, an intermediate section hinged to the first-named section and forming a closure for the openside thereof and a substantiallv closed chamber in connection with said section, and a third section movable in reference to the second sec tion and forming therewith a substantially closed, compartment. a switch including a shiftable member located in the compartment between the first and second sections,

a fuse located in the compartment between the second and third sections. and means for preventing movement of the third section controlled by the movable switch member. said means also preventing movement of the movable switch member in-one posi-''. tion of the third section. substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. A service box comprising a base section having means for connection to a conduit and an opening through one side. an intermediate section arranged in advance of said open sideand comprising a frame resting along one edge upon said side of the first section. the second section having an intermediate partition comprising a. portion integral with the frame and forming a seat and a member of insulation held on said seat, a third section cooperating w1 th the will,

second section for forming a second compartment, electrical contacts secured to one face of said member of insulation and projecting into the first-named compartment, contacts for supporting a fuse projecting from said member of insulation into the secondnamed compartment and electrically connected to the first-named contacts, contacts carried by the first section cooperating with the first-named contacts, one of the contacts carried by the first section being movable, means on the outside of the box for controlling the shifting of the same, and a locking niember in the first-named compartment having cooperative relation with said movable contact and third section for preventing movement of the movable contactin one position of the third section, and for preventing movement of the third section in one position of the movable contact, substantially as and for the purpose set forth."

8. la a service box, a base section having means for connection to a conduit and an open side. an intermediate section arranged in advance of the first section in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the conduit and forming therewith a substantially closed chamber, a third section arranged in ad- 'vance of the second section in a direction member, the third section being shiftable for giving access to the fuse supports, and means'for-preventing said shifting movement of the third section in one position of the movable contact, substantially as and for the purpose, described.

9. The combination of a service box comprising a compartment having exit and en trance passages for the service wires, a switch in the compartment comprising contacts, a movable switch member carrying one of the contacts and an operating handle "located on the outside of the box, the box being also provided with a second compartment arranged in front of the switch compartment. the second compartment includinga wall separating the two compartments, which wall is movable and serves as acover for the back compartment, and the box including a movable cover for the front com partment, fuse terminals located in the front compartment, and contacts connected to the fuse terminals and arranged on said wall separating the back compartment and the front compartment, the last-mentioned contacts being located in the back compartment in position to enact with the switch contacts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

w. The combination of a service box formed with front and back compartments separated by awall, the back compartment having entrance and exit passages for the service wires, a switch in said compartment comprising contacts, a movable member carrying one of the contacts and an operating handle located on the outside of the box, the frontcompartment being arranged in front of the switch compartment in a direction perpendicular to the back wall upon which the box is mounted, the box also including a movable cover for the front compartment, fuse terminals located in the front compartment and supported upon said separating wall, contacts connected to said fuse terminals, and supported on the face of the separating wall presented toward the back compartment in position to coact with the switch contacts, and locking meansincluding a part associated with the cover, and a movable part operated by the movable member of the switch, the locking means operating to normally prevent opening of the cover when the switch is closed and prevent 11. The combination of a service box formed with front and back compartments and arranged one above the other in a direc-' tion perpendicular to the back wall upon which the box is mounted, the back compartment having entrance and exit passages for the service wires, a switch in the back compartment comprising contacts, a movable member carrying one of the contacts and an dperating handle located on the outside of the box, the box comprising a. cover for the front compartment, and a wa1lform ing a partition between the compartments,

fuse terminals located in the front com-- partment and supported on one face of said partition, contacts connected to said terminals and supported on the other face of. said".

partition in position to .coact with the switch contacts and locking means including a part associated with said cover and located near one end thereof, and a'movable part operated by the movable member of the switch,

the locking means serving to normally prevent opening of the cover when the cover is closed and to prevent closing of the switch when the cover-is open, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. The combination of a. service box formed with front and back compartments and arranged 'one;in front of the other in a direction perpendicular 'to the back wall on which the box is mounted, the back compartment having entrance and exit passages for the service wires. a switch in-said back compartment comprising contacts, a movable member carrying one of the contacts, and an operating handle located on the outside of the box, the box comprising a hinged 13o cover for the front compartment and a wall forming a partition between the compartments, fuse terminals located in the front compartment and supported on one face of said wall, contacts connected to the fuse terminals, and supported on the other face of said wall in position to coact with the switch contacts, and locking means including a hub eccentric with the axis of the hinge and movable close to an edge of said wall and formed with a slot, and a sliding bolt arranged to be operated by the movable member of the switch into and out of the slot in the hub and into engagement with the periphery of the hub when the cover is open, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

, 13. A service box comprising three sections forming two substantially closed chambers, one section being formed with entrance and exit passages for the wires, the second section being interposed between the first and the third sections and being formed with a partition, and the third section serving as a cover for the second section, the first section and a portion of the second section forming a switch chamber and the remaining portion of the second section and the cover forming a fuse chamsectlonbeing formed with a partition 10- ber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth- 14. A servicebox comprising three sec- .tions, one section being formed with entrance and exit passages for the wires, the second section being interposed between the first and the third sections and being formed with a partition,'and the third section serv ing as a cover for the second section, the first section and a' portion of the second section forming a switch chamber and the remaining 7 portion ofthe second section and the cover forming a fuse chamber, means for normally preventing the operator from moving the second section relatively to the first and hence exposing the switch and wire terminals, and means for normally preventing the opening of the cover when the switch in Said chamber is closed and preventing closing of the switch when said cover is opened, substantially as and' for the purpose de v scribed.

15. A servicebox comprising a bottom, intermediate and top sections, the bottom section being formed with an entrance and exit passage for the wires, the intermediate catedbetween its upper and lower edges, and the top section being hinged to the intermedlate section and, se, as .a cover thereof, the lower portion. of the intermediate section and the bottom section forming a switch chamber and the upper portion of the intermediate section and the top section forming a fuse chamber, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

16. The combination of a service box comprising bottom, intermediate and top sections, the bottom section being formed With entrance and exit passages for the wires, the intermediate section being hinged to the bottom section and formed with a partition wall between its upper and lower edges, and the upper section being hinged to the intermediate section and forming a cover therefor, means for locking the intermediate and bottom sections together, a switch located in the bottom section and arranged to project into the intermediate section, and including switch contacts, a movable member carrying one of said contacts, and a handle on the outside of the box for operatingv the movable member, fuse plug terminals located on the upper side of said wall, contacts connected to said terminals and located on the lower side of said wall in position to coact with the switch terminals,-

and locking means associated with the upper section and the switch and operating to prevent opening of the upper section when the switch is closed, and prevent closing of the switch when said upper section is open, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. A service box comprising a base hav-' ing means for connection with a conduit and an opening through one side, a section arranged in advance of the open side and serving to normally close the same and being movable into and out of its closed position, two sets of terminals carried by the movable section on the under side thereof, a movable switch member located in the base and having switch contacts movable into' and out of engagement with one set of terminals, and a fixed set of contacts located in the base section and arranged to engage the 7 other set of terminals on the movable sec- 

